§ Mr. Peter Bottomleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of existing child benefit recipients have asked to continue weekly payment, giving regional figures if possible.
§ Mr. Newton:About 69 per cent. of beneficiaries whose entitlement arose before 15 March 1982 are receiving payment weekly.
I regret that regional figures of child benefit recipients whose entitlement arose before 15 March 1982 and who have chosen to continue on weekly payment are not available, but breakdown by region of all recipients is as follows:
Postal region Percentage of child benefit recipients receiving payment weekly London 56 Eastern 65 Midland 72 North-Eastern 76 North-Western 75 South-Western 70 South-Eastern 68 Scotland 62 Wales 71 — Overall 65